Domestic Markets Rebound Amid Middle East Tensions; KOSPI and KOSDAQ Close Higher

Despite escalating tensions in the Middle East, domestic stock markets closed higher today (20th). The KOSPI finished trading around the 6,250 mark, and the KOSDAQ around 1,180. The KOSPI index is trading up about 1%, settling around 6,250, while the KOSDAQ index, after initially falling, turned positive and is trading near the 1,180 level.

The United States and Iran held negotiations in Pakistan but failed to bridge their differences.

Institutional investors are buying, while foreign and individual investors are net sellers. Samsung Electronics turned positive, and SK Hynix is up over 3%.

In the Seoul foreign exchange market, the Korean won-dollar exchange rate opened lower by 4 won at 1,479.5 and is trading in the mid-1,470s.